A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water," the word can also refer to tides. Floods are an area of study in the field of hydrology and are a significant problem in agriculture, construction and public health. Find a safe shelter immediately. Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Turn around, don't drown! Remember that as little as six inches of moving water can knock you to the ground, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay away from bridges over fast moving water. Depending on the type of flood: Evacuate if prompted. To a higher or higher floor. Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Clean gutters and downspouts. Install the check valves. Consider a battery pump.
Stay where you are. If instructed to evacuate, evacuate immediately. Never drive around barricades. Local emergency workers use them to safely direct traffic away from flooded areas. If you are sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider. Wait for further care instructions and cover up if possible. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local warning systems for current emergency information and flood warnings. Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Turn. Don't drown! Stay away from bridges over fast moving water. Fast-flowing water can wash away bridges without warning. Stay in your car if it is trapped in fast-moving water. If water is rising inside the car, get on the roof. If you are trapped in a building, get to the top level. Go onto the roof only if necessary, and signal for help once you are there. Do not enter a closed attic to avoid being trapped by rising floodwaters. Pay attention to the authorities for information and instructions. Do not return home until authorities say it is safe to do so. Avoid driving except in emergencies. Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and footwear when cleaning, and use appropriate face coverings or masks when cleaning mold or other contaminants. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with visible or sellable internal water leaks or mold growth. Children should not participate in disaster relief work. Be aware that there may be snakes and other animals in your home. Be aware of the danger of electric shock. Do not touch electrical equipment when it is wet or when you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so. Avoid wading through floodwaters that may be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge water. Use the generator or other gasoline machines ONLY outdoors and away from windows. Listen to alerts via radio, television or text messages for the latest storm information. Make sure your smartphone is charged in case of a power outage so, you can still receive notifications or call for help. If advised to evacuate, shut off all utilities and evacuate immediately. Move to higher ground, avoid rising water, and do not walk or drive through floodwater. Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires.
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